Hydraulic propeller enhancement method

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a hydraulic propeller enhancement method for enhancing the propelling force of a hydraulic propeller. The present invention uses a gas release outlet in the propeller at the area where the high-speed axial flow of water passes for guiding in a gas by means of a negative pressure subject to Bernoulli&#39;s principle. Thus, subject to Bernoulli&#39;s principle, gas compressible characteristic and Boyle&#39;s law and the arrangement of the contracted end piece of the nozzle to work as an air compressor for compressing air bubbles, the invention uses one single gas guide device and a negative pressure suction force to guide in air bubbles to enhance the propelling force of the hydraulic propeller.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to hydraulic propeller technology and moreparticularly, to a hydraulic propeller enhancement method for enhancingthe propelling force of a hydraulic propeller by means of theapplication of a gas.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional for enhancing the propelling force of a hydraulicpropeller is known by: increasing the horsepower of the propeller, usinga different design of propeller or transmission system, or changing theangle of attach of the propeller.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional hydraulic propeller 10, whichcomprises a power engine 11, a water passage 12, a propeller 13, anozzle 14 and a directional nozzle 15. FIG. 2 illustrates a flow ofwater passing through the nozzle 14 of the hydraulic propeller 10.Because only a flow of pure water 141 is driven out of the nozzle 14,the reactive force thus produced is less strong, there is room forimprovement.

To improve the performance of the aforesaid hydraulic propeller, acomplicated design or a change of the structural details of thepropeller may be necessary. However, it costs a lot to improve theperformance of the hydraulic propeller in this manner.

Therefore, it is desirable to provide a method for enhancing thepropelling force of a hydraulic propeller and improving its performanceand reducing its fuel consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances inview. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a methodfor enhancing the propelling force of a hydraulic propeller, whichprovides a gas release outlet in the propeller at the area where thehigh-speed axial flow of water passes for guiding in a gas by means of anegative pressure subject to Bernoulli's principle.

A hydraulic propeller enhancement method, comprising the step of:

a) providing a boat and then installing a hydraulic propeller in saidboat, wherein said hydraulic propeller comprises a power engine, a waterpassage, a propeller rotatably accommodated in said water passage androtatable by said power engine to cause a high-speed axial flow ofwater, a nozzle located on an outlet of said water passage andtenninating in a contracted end piece;

b) installing at least one gas release outlet in said hydraulicpropeller at a selected area said high-speed axial flow of water passes;

c) providing a gas guide device comprising at least one guide pipearranged at a selection location in said boat and connecting a bottomend of said at least one guide pipe to said at least one gas releaseoutlet;

d) employing Bernoulli's principle to produce a negative pressure insaid at least one gas release outlet in said hydraulic propeller withinthe area where said high-speed axial flow of water passes for sucking inoutside air during rotation of said propeller;

e) enabling the intake flow of air to be guided by said at least oneguide pipe into said at least one gas release outlet to mix with waterand to produce air bubbles; and

f) subject to compressible gas characteristic, the air bubbles thusproduced pass through said contracted end piece of said nozzle arecompressed to reduce the size, and the compressed air bubbles expandsuddenly subject to a pressure difference between the inside of saidcontracted end piece and the outside of said nozzle when going out ofsaid nozzle, thereby enhancing the propelling force of said hydraulicpropeller.

The at least one gas release outlet is located on the peripheral wall ofsaid water passage for the connection of said at least one guide pipe ofsaid gas guide device.

The at least one gas release outlet is located on the peripheral wall ofsaid nozzle for the connection of said at least one guide pipe of saidgas guide device. The hydraulic propeller further comprises adirectional nozzle connected to a distal end of said nozzle; said atleast one gas release outlet is located on the peripheral wall of saiddirectional nozzle for the connection of said at least one guide pipe ofsaid gas guide device.

Moreover, the propeller comprises an axial tube having an inner endconnected to said at least one guide pipe of said gas guide device andan outer end extended to said at least one gas release outlet located onthe outer surface of said propeller.

Besides, the gas guide device uses a supplementary measure to guideengine waste gas or low pressure gas from the steam turbine into said atleast one guide pipe of said gas guide device from for generating airbubbles.

The gas guide device further compresses a pressure device for pumping agas into said at least one guide pipe toward said at least one gasrelease outlet, said pressure device being selected from an aircompressor, an air blower, an engine, a steam turbine and a turbo ofsaid boat.

Thus, subject to Bernoulli's principle, gas compressible characteristicand Boyle's law and the arrangement of the contracted end piece of thenozzle to work as an air compressor for compressing air bubbles, theinvention uses one single gas guide device and a negative pressuresuction force to guide in air bubbles to enhance the propelling force ofthe hydraulic propeller, saving power consumption and cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a hydraulic propeller according to theprior art.

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating flows of water driven out ofthe nozzle of the hydraulic propeller according to the prior art.

FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing illustrating air bubbles generated in anozzle of a hydraulic propeller in accordance with the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing illustrating a gas guided into thehydraulic propeller in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the major part of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 corresponds to FIG. 5, illustrating air bubbles generated in thenegative pressure zone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Further features and benefits of the present invention will be apparentfrom the following detailed description of the preferred embodimenttaken in conjunction with the annexed drawings. However, it is to beunderstood that the invention is applicable to any of a variety ofboats. The present preferred embodiment is simply an example but not alimitation.

Referring to FIGS. 3˜5, when compared to the prior art design shown inFIG. 2 in which only a flow of pure water is driven out of the nozzle,multiple air bubbles 60 are generated in the flow of water 141 that isdriven out of the nozzle of the hydraulic propeller.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a hydraulic propeller enhancement method inaccordance with the present invention comprises the steps of:

a) providing a boat 20 in any type or shape, and then installing ahydraulic propeller 30 in the boat 20, wherein the hydraulic propeller30 comprises a power engine 31, a water passage 33, a propeller 32rotatably accommodated in the water passage and rotatable by the powerengine 31 to cause a high-speed axial flow of water F, as shown in FIGS.5 and 6), a nozzle 34 located on the outlet of the water passage 33 andterminating in a contracted end piece 341 and then an outlet 342, and adirectional nozzle 35 connected to the outlet 342 of the nozzle 34 (thepropeller 30 of the known art, no further detailed description in thisregard is necessary);

b) installing at least one gas release outlet 40 in the hydraulicpropeller 30 at the water passage 33, the nozzle 34, the directionalnozzle 35 or any location where the high-speed axial flow of water Fpasses, and attaching an axial tube 321 to the propeller 32 to connectan inner end 322 of the axial tube 321 to a gas pipe 51 and to have theat least one gas release outlet 40 be formed in each of the aforesaidfour components, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, or in the outer end 342 ofthe axial tube 321 where the velocity of the flow of water 131 is high,wherein each gas release outlet 40 can made in, but not limited to,circular shape, and backwardly inclined or perpendicular to the tubewall for causing a suction force of negative pressure upon passing of ahigh-speed of water;

c) providing a gas guide device 50, which, as shown in FIG. 4, comprisesat least one guide pipe 51 arranged at a selection location in the boat20 above the water line WL and connected with the bottom end thereof tothe at least one gas release outlet 40 at the water passage 33 and/orthe nozzle 34 and/or the directional nozzle 35 or the axial tube 321 ofthe propeller 32 subject to type of the board or actual requirements,and a gas inlet 52 located on the top end of the at least one guide pipe51;

d) employing Bernoulli's principle to produce a negative pressure in theat least one gas release outlet 40 in the hydraulic propeller 30 withinthe area where the high-speed axial flow of water F passes for suckingin outside air during rotation of the propeller 32 without powerconsumption to save energy consumption;

e) enabling the intake flow of air to be guided by the at least oneguide pipe 51 into the at least one gas release outlet 40 to mix withwater and to produce air bubbles 60; and

f) subject to compressible gas characteristic, the air bubbles 60 arecompressed to reduce the size when passing through the contracted endpiece 341 of the nozzle 34, and the compressed air bubbles expandsuddenly subject to a pressure difference between the inside of thecontracted end piece 341 and the outside of the nozzle 34 when they goout of the nozzle 34, enhancing the propelling force of the hydraulicpropeller.

In other words, when the high-speed axial flow of water F propelled bythe propeller 32 passes through the contracted end piece 341 of thenozzle 34, it flowing speed is accelerated, and the pressure at theorifice of the nozzle 34 is relatively increased. The air bubbles thatare sucked into the at least one gas release outlet 40 are small-sizeddue to compression. When the compressed air bubbles move with the flowof water to the outer end 342 of the axial tube 321, the surroundingwater pressure is reduced, and therefore, the compressed air bubbles 60expand suddenly, as shown n FIG. 3, enhancing the reactive force of theaxial flow of water F, and therefore, the invention greatly increasesthe propelling force of the hydraulic propeller, i.e., the technicalmeasure of the present invention utilizes:

1. Bernoulli's principle: a high seed flow causes generation of anegative pressure theerearound.

2. Gas compressible characteristic and Boyle's law: the volume of gas isindirectly proportional to the applied pressure, i.e., P₁V₁=P₂V₂; whenincreasing the pressure, the volume is reduced, or when reducing thepressure, the volume is increased. For example, 2P₁1V₁=1P₂2V₂.

3. Air compressor: water is not compressible, however it becomescompressible when contains air bubbles; the contracted end piece 341 ofthe nozzle 34 works as an air compressor for compressing the air bubbles60 passing therethrough.

The aforesaid technical measure for enabling the hydraulic propeller toguide in outside air for generating air bubbles can be achieved simplyby providing the at least one gas release outlet 40 in the hydraulicpropeller 30 in the area where the high-speed flow of water passeswithout using any power, and therefore this method saves energy andcost. When a pressure is necessary drive air into the hydraulicpropeller 30 for generating air bubbles, a small power consumption canachieve a high effect.

Referring to FIG. 4, a supplementary measure may be employed to guideair or gas into the at least one guide pipe 51 of the gas guide device50, for example, engine waste gas or low pressure gas from the steamturbine may be guided into the at least one guide pipe 51 of the gasguide device 50 for generating air bubbles. This waste gas recyclingmethod does not require any extra resource or cost. Further, a pressuredevice 70 and a control valve 71 may be used in the at least one guidepipe 51 of the gas guide device 50 for pumping a gas into the at leastone guide pipe 51 toward the at least one gas release outlet 40. Thepressure device 70 can be the existing air compressor, air blower,engine, steam turbine or turbo of the boat 20. Thus, using a small powercan obtain multiple times of power.

In conclusion, subject to Bernoulli's principle, gas compressiblecharacteristic and Boyle's law and the arrangement of the contracted endpiece of the nozzle to work as an air compressor for compressing airbubbles, the invention uses one single gas guide device and a negativepressure suction force to guide in air bubbles to enhance the propellingforce of the hydraulic propeller, saving power consumption and cost.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described indetail for purposes of illustration, various modifications andenhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except asby the appended claims.

1. A hydraulic propeller enhancement method, comprising the step of: a)providing a boat and then installing a hydraulic propeller in said boat,wherein said hydraulic propeller comprises a power engine, a waterpassage, a propeller rotatably accommodated in said water passage androtatable by said power engine to cause a high-speed axial flow ofwater, a nozzle located on an outlet of said water passage andterminating in a contracted end piece; b) installing at least one gasrelease outlet in said hydraulic propeller at a selected area saidhigh-speed axial flow of water passes; c) providing a gas guide devicecomprising at least one guide pipe arranged at a selection location insaid boat and connecting a bottom end of said at least one guide pipe tosaid at least one gas release outlet; d) employing Bernoulli's principleto produce a negative pressure in said at least one gas release outletin said hydraulic propeller within the area where said high-speed axialflow of water passes for sucking in outside air during rotation of saidpropeller; e) enabling the intake flow of air to be guided by said atleast one guide pipe into said at least one gas release outlet to mixwith water and to produce air bubbles; and f) subject to compressiblegas characteristic, the air bubbles thus produced pass through saidcontracted end piece of said nozzle are compressed to reduce the size,and the compressed air bubbles expand suddenly subject to a pressuredifference between the inside of said contracted end piece and theoutside of said nozzle when going out of said nozzle, thereby enhancingthe propelling force of said hydraulic propeller.
 2. The hydraulicpropeller enhancement method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said atleast one gas release outlet is located on the peripheral wall of saidwater passage for the connection of said at least one guide pipe of saidgas guide device.
 3. The hydraulic propeller enhancement method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one gas release outlet islocated on the peripheral wall of said nozzle for the connection of saidat least one guide pipe of said gas guide device.
 4. The hydraulicpropeller enhancement method as claimed in claim 1, wherein saidhydraulic propeller further comprises a directional nozzle connected toa distal end of said nozzle; said at least one gas release outlet islocated on the peripheral wall of said directional nozzle for theconnection of said at least one guide pipe of said gas guide device. 5.The hydraulic propeller enhancement method as claimed in claim 1,wherein said propeller comprises an axial tube having an inner endconnected to said at least one guide pipe of said gas guide device andan outer end extended to said at least one gas release outlet located onthe outer surface of said propeller.
 6. The hydraulic propellerenhancement method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least oneguide pipe of said gas guide device has a top end thereof terminating ina gas inlet and disposed in said boat above the water line.
 7. Thehydraulic propeller enhancement method as claimed in claim 6, whereinsaid gas guide device uses a supplementary measure to guide engine wastegas or low pressure gas from the steam turbine into said at least oneguide pipe of said gas guide device for generating air bubbles.
 8. Thehydraulic propeller enhancement method as claimed in claim 7, whereinsaid gas guide device further compresses a pressure device for pumping agas into said at least one guide pipe toward said at least one gasrelease outlet, said pressure device being selected from an aircompressor, an air blower, an engine, a steam turbine and a turbo ofsaid boat.